Chapter 15 - Peace in times of turmoil

Zagreus stretched out in bed. It could be said that the prince had never felt more alive than he did now. The undoubted advantage of having an immortal body was not feeling tired nor hunger. However, it also meant that he would never know what it was like to feel rested or taste water when thirsty, something that was undoubtedly left out of Achilles' story.

From behind the curtain the morning rays were breaking through and a light zephyr was blowing, probably noticeable thanks to the poor quality of the window frame. Undoubtedly, the prince acknowledged the benefits of living at the surface, despite the noise coming from the market.

After midnight when he returned from Lord Soma's residence he was undoubtedly tired and remembered very little of the return trip. The only thing left in his memory was that his destination was an tavern he passed before, at least if fate had favoured him. After escaping Tartarus, rescuing a mortal woman, drinking 8 mugs of ale, savour divine moonshine and meeting two gods, he might not have been thinking soberly.

He stood up slowly, leaning against the creaky bed frame.

"Fuck!" shouted the prince under his breath "To return to an inn where there were at least three gods? Am I in such a hurry to look into Thanatos' eyes?" - laughed the prince to himself.

Zagreus slowly started walking towards the door. He felt that something was wrong. How to say it... he remembered this place to be more tidier.

The current room he was in looked like Cerberus' favorite ball had fallen into it. He put his left arm on the door to open it and then noticed that, in place where the text was yesterday, there was now a symbol of Lord Soma, located on the top of the hand. He stopped and looked at the symbol carefully. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that it was not a perfect copy and, what is more, it was made of letters that revealed his blessing.

The Prince grumbled from a headache, but after a moment he opened the door and headed downstairs towards the bar.


In a tavern

One consequence of the inevitable fate that happened at dungeon level 18 was that Rivir was once again destroyed. It was a small town run by adventurers. One could trade items, information and even spend the night in a tavern there. Despite the exorbitant prices, there was no shortage of visitors. Unfortunately, it happened that after its 334 destruction, the inn was managed by Villy, who now had nowhere to go.

So he decided to try his luck and visit his old friend Ciri. Why luck, you ask? Well, she was the hostess of an tavern located on Daedalus street. The only way to find it, was to get lost first. Thus it so happened that the regular customers were mostly drunks returning from the entertainment district who incidentally took a wrong turn. To find this place one needed either luck or misfortune.

The exception was Ciri, who could always be found here. Well, nobody could say how she managed to find her way back, which was a subject of many rumours and suppositions. However, by a twist of fate, Villy managed to get here yesterday.

"Why are you sitting so depressed Villy" - a voice woke him up from his thoughts

"My whole business is in ruins with the Artemis family" - he replied

He pulled up a chair and looked around with his eyes. Undoubtedly this was the only inn of its kind in all of Orario. In the middle of it grew a tree 5 meters tall piercing through the roof. Around it were a dozen people sitting at crackling tables sipping liquor. In spite of the morning, only a small amount of light entered through a limited number of windows, giving the impression of a dark place.

"Heads up" suddenly an additional person sat down next to him "Not the first and not the last this city has gone up in flames"

Easy for you to say. Your pub is in one piece" - Villy replied "Unless you're proposing a partnership" he smiled sinisterly.

"Oh, even if I wanted to, you know the rules" - giggled Ciri.

Villy obviously knew the 'guidelines' that all bartenders in Orario followed. Firstly, you have to be at least level 2, without that it would be impossible to subdue the customers. Secondly, the only customer is the one who pays. Thirdly, there is only one owner per bar.

"Really?" looked with a twinkle in his eyes. "How then do you explain the rumour that you took in an adventurer yesterday, without paying first?"

"Oh there, those are more guidelines than rules" Ciri replied, contradicting herself and sticking out her tongue "besides... looking at him I'm sure we'll work something out if he can't pay" she said into Villy's ear so that he could feel her breathing.

"Why does this never happen to me" replied a devastated Villy "Looking at you, I am more and more convinced that this is just such a place, as if it had the magic power to attract strange personalities"

At this point Ciri noticed on the tree, a new hanging banner

[In vallis we trust]

"Who the fuck hung it?" shouted Ciri, looking closely

underneath in small letters was the inscription [Rivira v2, Villy tavern]

"So long, partner!" answered the fleeing Villy

Ciri sighed and laughter rang out in the bar. Despite the fact that most of the regulars here would relieve you of material goods upon meeting you on the street, using "persuasion", "reason" or " hastier" methods, here they were taking a breather, where they were ordinary customers.


Zagreus went down to the ground floor and the first thing that caught his eye was a 5 metre high tree in the middle of the room. However, other than short surprise, the prince was unimpressed, comparing it to the sights of Elysium.

"Well, well, well. Our night vagabond" said the catwomen with silver hair "I see you are admiring the full majesty of our possessions, asking yourself what story it hides" she giggled pointing to the tree.

The Prince slowly looked around the tavern, assessing the state of the crooked walls and creaking benches. "If I had to guess, they ran out of money to remove it during construction," Zagreus replied.

Immediately Ciri's face turned to stone and her ear start twiching, only forcibly holding a smile. The truth was that the prince guessed correctly...

"In that case it will be prudent to settle my claim." - The prince looked at the sign

[In vallis we trust]

"A very down-to-earth doctrine, if not overly pushy and desperate" - replied the prince looking around, not saying the last part out loud.

"Don't you think so?" - replied Ciri - ["I will kill the bastard, ruining my chance"] - she said in her mind

"So how did you end up here?" - asked Ciri

"Actually it's a funny story, but unfortunately time is pressing me. Perhaps another time we can carve out some time to talk." - The prince tried one of his heoristic smiles, handing her a pouch of valis.

And so the prince set out to keep the promise he had made previously, going out on streets of Orario.